Meter Lug Isolator

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides for an electrically insulative cover that can be used to cover a variety of electrical components, namely hot lugs. The cover has a top surface and at least one side surface. The cover provides a shield between the lug and the individual performing work on the lug containing device. This reduces the need to disconnect and reconnect the flow of electricity which can be costly for customers. Additionally, it allows electrical work to be done more autonomously, efficiently, and safely.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/706,094, filed May 7, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,263,093, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 61/990,935, filedMay 9, 2014, the entire contents of these applications beingincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The field of this invention and associated embodiments relates toinsulated covers, namely covers used to shield one from electricity. Inparticular, the present field relates to an electrically insulatingcover for use in meter pans that assist in supplying electricity tostructures including homes and businesses.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

An electric meter is a device that measures the consumption ofelectricity used by a residence, business or other location orelectrically powered device. Tampering with such meters, especially onhomes and businesses, can cause the meter to under-report consumedelectricity thereby enabling an individual to use electricity withoutpaying it. To combat this potential theft, meters will have a tamperproof tag and methods of opening the meter. Thus, a lineman, meterreader or electrician is generally required in order to perform anyservice or maintenance on the meter or customer owned meter socketequipment.

In order to perform work on the voltage innards of the electric meter,the lineman, meter reader, or electrician often must cut the tapsleading into the meter or have the utility company perform adisconnect/reconnect of the flow of electricity before and after theirwork on the meter or meter socket if they are needed. Thisdisconnect/reconnect is sometimes charged to the consumer as a fee bythe utility company. If such a service is not performed, there is a riskof great bodily harm or death befalling the lineman, meter reader, orelectrician. Thus, there is a need for a device that absolves the needfor outside support (i.e. a utility company) and enables a licensedworker to perform their duties without having to cut the taps leadinginto an electric meter socket.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,878 describes a connector having a terminal with anouter insulating cover and an inner conducting portion and a conductorhaving an outer insulating cover and a conductor lug detachablyconnected to the inner conducting portion of the terminal. A resilientwaterproof sheath extends between and is in sealing engagement with theinsulating covers of both the terminal and the conductor. Each sheathend includes internal, annular ribs having a smaller diameter that thediameter of the engaged insulating cover material, thus deforming theinsulating material into indentations. The resulting pressure from thesheath combined with the heat environment within the sheath provides abonded seal between the sheath and the insulation material. The terminalouter insulating cover is formed into a retaining boss which isengageable by one of the internal, annular ribs at the terminal end ofthe sheath.

Various devices are known in the art. However, their stricture and meansof operation are substantially different from the present disclosure.The other inventions fail to solve all the problems taught by thepresent disclosure.

The present invention provides for an insulative cover that can be usedin an electric meter pan amongst other settings. The cover provides asafe and efficient tool for assisting a lineman, meter reader, orelectrician in performing their duties, when working on load side ofsocket. At last one embodiment of this invention is presented in thedrawings below and will be described in more detail herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes an electrically insulative cover havinga top panel; and at least one side panel having a length, wherein the atleast one side panel is coupled to the top panel, wherein the top paneland the at least one side panel comprises a polymeric material.Preferably, there are four side panels, although the number of sidepanels may vary from about 1 to about 10 side panels. At least one ofthe side panels may have a length that is less than that of the otherside panels. The electrically insulative cover is preferably formed froman electrically insulative rubber. In some instances, the cover has anadhesive disposed on the at least one side panel.

In another aspect of the present invention there is a system forshielding electricity having an electrically insulative cover comprisinga top panel, four side panels, each having an outer surface, an innersurface, and a bottom surface, wherein at least one of the four sidepanels has a length that is less than that of the other side panels, anadhesive disposed on the bottom side of the four side panels, whereinthe adhesive is removable; wherein the cover comprises a rubber basedcomposition; and a meter pan having at least one lug, wherein theelectrically insulative cover is placed over the at least one lug.

The electrically insulative cover may be positioned over the lug with orwithout electricity being supplied thereto. In order to fit over thelug, there may be at least one side panel having an angled bottomsurface.

This accommodates any structure that may otherwise impede completecoverage of the lug. Preferably, the cover is formed from asilicone-based rubber although most any rubber should suffice, and anumber of electrically insulative materials may be used.

Generally, the electrically insulative cover is shaped and designed tofit over one or more lugs in an electric meter socket. The shape of thelug may result in some variation of the shape of the electricallyinsulative cover. The cover is placed over a hot lug to protect thetechnician working on the apparatus. The cover may further have aremovable adhesive to help ensure the cover stays in place while thetechnician is working. This prevents the cover from shifting out ofplace and placing the technician at risk for serious injury. The covercan comprise any material that is electrically insulative and othermaterials not known for their insulative properties but for otherqualities (i.e. flexibility, strength, etc.) that may be combined withthe electrically insulative materials.

In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following,and others not mentioned, benefits and objectives.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electricallyinsulative cover that provides protection from electricity toindividuals working with electrical equipment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electricallyinsulative cover that is used in an electric meter.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electricallyinsulative cover that is inexpensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electricallyinsulative cover that can be adhered to a second object.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electricallyinsulative cover that is lightweight and durable.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electricallyinsulative cover that shields multiple electrical components at once.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electricallyinsulative cover that prevents disconnecting/reconnecting to wires ofelectricity in order to service a home, business, or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a meter pan with the cover removed showing theinternal structure without the electrically insulative covers in place.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a meter pan with the cover removed showing theinternal structure with one embodiment of the electrically insulativecovers in place.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a meter pan with the cover removed showing theinternal structure with an alternate embodiment of the electricallyinsulative covers in place.

FIG. 4 is a first side view of one embodiment of the electricallyinsulative covers showing at least one shape of the cover.

FIG. 5 is a second side view of one embodiment of the electricallyinsulative covers.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the electrically insulativecovers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the variousfigures are identified with the same reference numerals. Reference willnow be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention.

Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the presentinvention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, thoseof ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the presentspecification and viewing the present drawings that variousmodifications and variations can be made thereto.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is a meter pan 200 with the cover (notshown) having been removed. The meter pan 200 has electrical apparatusthat directs the flow of electricity from a transformer to a structuresuch as a home or business. The line lugs 230 bring in the flow ofelectricity from an outside source, typically a transformer. The loadlugs 235 bring the flow of electricity to the customer. A neutral 240 isused as a ground and does not typically carry the flow of electricity.The wiring 220 stems from the outside source of electricity to the linelugs 230 and from the load lugs 235 to the structure. The wiring 220enters and exits the meter pan 200 through apertures 215. Screw plates205 provide a secure connection between the line lugs 230 and the loadlugs 235. These structures are connected to the back 210 or the meterpan 200 via an insulated block.

In FIG. 2 there is one embodiment of the present invention. Theelectrically insulative cover 100 is used in tandem to cover the linelugs 230 (see FIG. 1).

In FIG. 3 there is another embodiment of the present invention. Theelectrically insulative cover 100 here covers both line lugs 230 at thesame time. The set-up is the same as shown in FIG. 2 with the differencebeing the area of coverage of the electrically insulative cover 100 withcutout for lines 220 and ground wire.

FIG. 4 shows the electrically insulative cover 100 from side view. Here,the features of the electrically insulative cover 100 are readilyvisible. The cover 100 has a top panel 105 and four (4) side panels 110.Two of the side panels 110 of insulative cover 100 may have a cutout 140that will allow for a tight fit to accommodate lines 220.

Referring now FIG. 5, there is a second side view of the electricallyinsulative cover 100. The side panels 110 are coupled to the top panels105. The top panel 105 and the side panels 110 may be integrated andformed of a single piece. The cutout 140 is visible, placement of it mayvary.

In FIG. 6, the electrically insulative cover 100 is shown from a bottomview. The configuration of the side panels 110 is shown along withadhesive 115 disposed on bottom surface 130. Each of the side panels 110are coupled to another side panel 110 and the top panel 105. Each of theside panels 110 has an outer surface 120, an inner surface 125, and abottom surface 130. This leaves an opening 150 on the bottom side of thecover 100 which receives the line lug 230 (see FIG. 1). At least one ofthe side panels 110 has a length that is less than that of the otherside panels 110.

Generally, the electrically insulative cover 100 shown in FIGS. 3-6 hasa top panel 105 and at least one side panel 110. The side panels 110 maybe coupled to the top panel 105 and the other, if present, side panels110 by adhesives or other proper securement mechanisms. If the cover 100is pieced together in this fashion, the securement mechanism, whethermechanical or chemical in nature, must be able to withstand the highvoltage environment of the meter pan 200. For this reason, it ispreferable that the cover 100 is formed from a continuous piece ofmaterial. The material chosen must be resistant to the aforementionedhigh voltage environments in the meter pan 200 or elsewhere. Preferably,this material is a rubber which may include, but is not limited to,natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), Isoprene rubber,Butadiene rubber, and (poly)chloroprene rubber and the like or anycombination thereof. Preferably, the rubber choice is a silicone-basedrubber.

The overall shape and appearance of the electrically insulative cover100 may vary as with its intended purpose. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, theelectrically insulative cover 100 preferably covers one (1) or two (2)line lugs 230 at once as one is to be most concerned about the line lugs230. Thus, the shape may vary depending on the amount of line lugs 230covered or the amount of extraneous electrical apparatus that is coveredas well.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure hasbeen made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted towithout departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of insulating at least one supply-sidelug in an electrical meter pan, the method comprising: removing a coverfrom an electrical meter to expose an electrical meter pan; providing afirst insulative cover formed to be emplaced over a first lug located onthe supply-side of the electrical meter pan configured to receive a flowof electricity from an outside source; and, emplacing said firstinsulative cover over said first lug to shield the first lug fromcontact, the emplaced first insulative cover not covering the load-sidelugs of the electrical meter pan.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst insulative cover is formed to be simultaneously emplaced over thefirst lug and a second lug located on the supply-side of the electricalmeter pan.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first insulative coverincludes silicone rubber.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstinsulative cover includes a top panel and a plurality of side panels,each of said plurality of side panels having an outer surface, an innersurface, and a bottom surface extending between the outer and innersurfaces, the plurality of side panels being coupled to, and protrudingfrom, the top panel with the bottom surfaces being exposed, theplurality of side panels bounding the top panel so as to continuouslyencircle the top panel.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein a first sidepanel of the plurality of side panels has a length, as measured in adirection away from the top panel, that is less than the remainingplurality of side panels.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein a secondside panel of the plurality of side panels includes a cutout commencingat the bottom surface of the second side panel.
 7. The method of claim4, wherein a second side panel of the plurality of side panels includesa cutout commencing at the bottom surface of the second side panel. 8.The method of claim 4, wherein the first insulative cover is emplacedover the first lug with the plurality of side panels encircling thefirst lug and the top panel covering the first lug.
 9. The method ofclaim 4, further comprising an adhesive disposed on at least a portionof the bottom surfaces.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the adhesiveis removable.